Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Hosts 'Dine Out with the Chefs' Benefit Today, 10/7

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts previously announced the restaurant lineup for its 7th annual Dine Out with the Chefs benefit, which will take place today, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. More than 25 of the Valley's top chefs will participate in this year's event with proceeds supporting The Center's education and outreach programs.

Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the chefs and to enJoy Small plates of their amazing creations, from gourmet soups, salads and appetizers to signature dishes and decadent desserts. Assembled by event organizer Pamela Swartz, the Dine Out with the Chefs roster features many of the premier culinary establishments in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, including:

Alto ristorante e bar at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Arcadia Farms
Citizen Public House
Cowboy Ciao
Distrito at the Saguaro Hotel
elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa
The House
J&G Steakhouse at the Phoenician
Julia Baker Confections
Kazimierz World Wine Bar
Lon's at the Hermosa Inn
The Mission
Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort
SWB a southwest bistro at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Il Terrazzo at the Phoenician
T. Cook's at Royal Palms Resort & Spa
Tracy Dempsey Originals
Vincent's
Wright's at Arizona Biltmore
ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho

Dine Out with the Chefs also features live music by the Matt Johnson Trio; tastings of fine wines, beers, vodkas and coffees; gourmet cooking demonstrations; and other surprises. Among the special guests are professional mixologist Jason Asher, named GQ's "Most Inspired Bartender of 2010," who will serve up one-of-a-kind cocktails in the VIP Lounge; Arizona winemaker Sam Pillsbury; chef Laura Slama of Sub-Zero Wolf Kitchen; the baristas of mobile espresso bar Shine Coffee serving delicious beverages from their vintage 1957 Airstream trailer; and award-winning author Pamela Swartz, who will sign copies of the latest edition of Dine Out Phoenix: Where to Eat from Chic to Unique.

Advance tickets are available for $65 ($60 for members) through the Patron Services Box Office at (480) 499-TKTS (8587), or online at www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org. Tickets at the door are $75. VIP tickets are $100 and provide early entry at 2:30 p.m. and access to the VIP Lounge featuring complimentary cocktails crafted by mixologist Jason Asher. Availability is extremely limited, and advance tickets are highly recommended.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale, four blocks south of Indian School Road and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

One of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts showcases a diverse season of dance, jazz, classical and world music, theater and film from around the world. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted at The Center each year serving 200,000+ visitors and contributing substantially to Scottsdale's high quality of life and vibrant arts scene. The Center's education and outreach programs reach more than 20,000 children and adults each year. Most performances take place in the state-of-the-art, 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater, recognized for its intimacy, superior acoustics and comfort. Additional venues include 137-seat Stage 2 and neighboring 2,000-capacity Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located on a beautifully landscaped, 21-acre urban park, a short walk from Scottsdale's Old Town and gallery districts.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art are managed by the nonprofit Scottsdale Cultural Council.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Patron Services Box Office: (480) 499-TKTS (8587). TDD: (480) 874-4694. Web: www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.